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Kelly to step down from cabinet Kelly to step down from cabinet
(10 minutes later)
Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly is to step down from government.Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly is to step down from government.
Gordon Brown said Ms Kelly, who has four children under 11, wanted to be with them "as they grow up".Gordon Brown said Ms Kelly, who has four children under 11, wanted to be with them "as they grow up".
The prime minister told the BBC she told him of her plans in May. He said her decision was "nothing to do with politics" and she remained "a fan".The prime minister told the BBC she told him of her plans in May. He said her decision was "nothing to do with politics" and she remained "a fan".
Mr Brown, who sought to reassert his leadership with his big conference speech on Tuesday, denied suggestions further resignations might follow.Mr Brown, who sought to reassert his leadership with his big conference speech on Tuesday, denied suggestions further resignations might follow.
Ms Kelly is to step down at the next reshuffle, which may come next week after the Conservative Party conference.Ms Kelly is to step down at the next reshuffle, which may come next week after the Conservative Party conference.
It could also see Geoff Hoon made a European commissioner, a No 10 source said.
Bolton West MP Ms Kelly was appointed transport secretary in July 2007 after Mr Brown took over as prime minister. She had previously been communities secretary and the education secretary.Bolton West MP Ms Kelly was appointed transport secretary in July 2007 after Mr Brown took over as prime minister. She had previously been communities secretary and the education secretary.
There had been speculation the 40-year-old could leave the government because of her objections to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill.There had been speculation the 40-year-old could leave the government because of her objections to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill.
She is very happy in her job as transport secretary but thought the time had come to spend more time with her four young children Labour Party source Ruth Kelly profileShe is very happy in her job as transport secretary but thought the time had come to spend more time with her four young children Labour Party source Ruth Kelly profile
But Mr Brown denied her decision had anything to do with the bill or because of any unhappiness with his leadership or government.But Mr Brown denied her decision had anything to do with the bill or because of any unhappiness with his leadership or government.
BBC political editor Nick Robinson said he understood that although Ms Kelly wanted to resign in May, Mr Brown had asked her to stay on until the next reshuffle.
Nick Robinson said that she had told friends she has done her time and that she was making a life change as the first of her children starts secondary school.
But he added that Ms Kelly was known to be unhappy with the direction of the Government in recent months and before Tuesday's conference speech a number of ministers at cabinet level had been considering whether to resign with her in protest at the direction of the party.
Although it was not Ms Kelly's intention that the story emerged in the early hours of Wednesday, Downing Street deny suggestions that they released the news, Nick Robinson added.
The reshuffle could also see Geoff Hoon made a European commissioner, a No 10 source said.
Mr Hoon, meanwhile, chief whip and MP for Ashfield, refused to say whether he had discussed the issue of a reshuffle with Mr Brown.Mr Hoon, meanwhile, chief whip and MP for Ashfield, refused to say whether he had discussed the issue of a reshuffle with Mr Brown.
A former Member of the European Parliament, he is reportedly being lined up to replace Peter Mandelson in Brussels.A former Member of the European Parliament, he is reportedly being lined up to replace Peter Mandelson in Brussels.
Mr Hoon told the BBC: "I have not had a discussion specifically relevant to me.Mr Hoon told the BBC: "I have not had a discussion specifically relevant to me.
"What would actually be by far the best solution, if it is possible, would be for Peter Mandelson to remain in post."What would actually be by far the best solution, if it is possible, would be for Peter Mandelson to remain in post.
"I've certainly had discussions along those lines.""I've certainly had discussions along those lines."
Huge pressureHuge pressure
Mr Brown addressed Labour's annual conference on Tuesday, with his claim that now was "no time for a novice" seen as an attack on David Cameron and a coded warning to supporters of would-be Labour challenger David Miliband.Mr Brown addressed Labour's annual conference on Tuesday, with his claim that now was "no time for a novice" seen as an attack on David Cameron and a coded warning to supporters of would-be Labour challenger David Miliband.
Labour's leader reasserted his authority over the party by telling rebels to focus on challenges facing the country, not internal party rows.Labour's leader reasserted his authority over the party by telling rebels to focus on challenges facing the country, not internal party rows.
The prime minister insisted he would steer the country through the current financial crisis.The prime minister insisted he would steer the country through the current financial crisis.
BBC political correspondent Reeta Chakrabarti said Mr Brown appeared to have bought himself time after Tuesday's speech.BBC political correspondent Reeta Chakrabarti said Mr Brown appeared to have bought himself time after Tuesday's speech.
Gordon Brown is due to discuss the global economyGordon Brown is due to discuss the global economy
She said the prime minister had been under "huge pressure" to deliver a good performance and the general view among delegates was that he pulled it off.She said the prime minister had been under "huge pressure" to deliver a good performance and the general view among delegates was that he pulled it off.
In his speech, Mr Brown said the Tories could not be trusted to run the economy and vowed Labour would not stop fighting for a "fair society".In his speech, Mr Brown said the Tories could not be trusted to run the economy and vowed Labour would not stop fighting for a "fair society".
He delivered a more personal conference address than normal, preceded by an unusual introduction on to the stage by his wife Sarah.He delivered a more personal conference address than normal, preceded by an unusual introduction on to the stage by his wife Sarah.
Mr Brown told GMTV that he had been "surprised" that his wife had wanted to do the introduction - but said she wanted to show that they were a team.Mr Brown told GMTV that he had been "surprised" that his wife had wanted to do the introduction - but said she wanted to show that they were a team.
The conference will come to a close with speeches by Health Secretary Alan Johnson, Schools Secretary Ed Balls and Labour's deputy leader Harriet Harman.The conference will come to a close with speeches by Health Secretary Alan Johnson, Schools Secretary Ed Balls and Labour's deputy leader Harriet Harman.
Mr Brown is due at a US meeting of world leaders on the economic crisis after the Labour conference ends.Mr Brown is due at a US meeting of world leaders on the economic crisis after the Labour conference ends.
In New York, the prime minister will be speaking to other leaders at the United Nations general assembly.In New York, the prime minister will be speaking to other leaders at the United Nations general assembly.
Although most discussions will be about the Millennium Development Goals, he will also use the visit to raise the banking crisis with fellow world leaders.Although most discussions will be about the Millennium Development Goals, he will also use the visit to raise the banking crisis with fellow world leaders.